Improve Your Wellness Factor

Transcription

1 WELLNESS In Your Community arenacreative/bigstock.com Expert Tips to Improve Your Wellness Factor By Dianne Werbicki, BA EXPERTS AGREE that overall quality of life depends on a variety of factors. Some factors include employment, physical and mental health, education and a sense of belonging among others. In a condominium environment we can see how some of these factors, the physical property and its liveability, a sense of belonging and well-being in particular, can apply. We asked several ACMO Associate members, all experts in their respective fields, to provide some Tips on how managers and their boards can recognize and improve the wellness factors in their condominium communities. CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, WINTER

2 Karen Kisiel, LLB Pets provide emotional and health benefits. KAREN KISIEL, LLB is a Toronto-based barrister and solicitor specializing in condominium law and litigation. The way I see it, there are three main ways by which one can gauge the wellness of a condominium community: by the condition of the building/property, its finances and resident/ owner satisfaction. Here are some tips I feel generally relate to the people side of the condominium equation. 1. Appoint a communications officer under the bylaws (who may or may not also be a director) to oversee and generally be responsible for board-to-resident communications. Residents/owners want transparency in terms of the corporation s operations and to be kept informed on what is going on in their community, especially during difficult times. Good communication between the board and residents/owners is key to achieving this and it may be worthwhile to have an officer dedicated to this important function. Most general operating bylaws permit a board to appoint other officers in addition to the customary president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. 2. Adopt written policies setting out how the board will generally deal with commonly occurring matters such as resident/owner complaints and alteration requests, and make these policies known to residents/ owners. That way, residents/owners will know what to expect when a situation arises and can be confident that they are being treated (hopefully fairly) like all other residents/owners. 3. Review the corporation s rules on an annual basis to ensure that they remain relevant in light of changing demographics and resident preferences. Repeal any rules that are unduly restrictive or obsolete. Create new rules to address problems only if they GRG BUILDING CONSULTANTS INC. Roof leaks? Out of date Reserve Fund? Old windows? Thermal comfort problems? High energy use? Condition assessments? Heaving asphalt? Leaning retaining walls? Scaling concrete? Maintenance planning? Air quality issues? Parking garage leaks? Cracked masonry? GRG... Problem Solved. Toronto Newmarket Ottawa 1 (800) CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING 2012

3 cannot be resolved by other means. Remember, sometimes less is more! 4. Allow pets! Numerous studies indicate that there are both emotional and health benefits of pet ownership. A happy resident/owner is one less likely to complain. (See the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association website at for its discussion on the benefits of pet ownership.) 5. At your annual general meeting, be sure to ask owners to comment on the things they like about their community. This will balance out some of the negativity that can arise from owners complaining and will help instill a sense of pride in the community. 6. Ensure that staff treat tenants with the same courtesy and respect that they do unit owners. After all, tenants are people too! TONY ALISHAH is president of F.I.R.E. (Fast Innovative Response Experts) a Woodbridgebased company. Managers should know the fundamentals in fire prevention. Fire Prevention is based on common practice and knowledge. Tony Alishah Know the fundamentals of fire prevention. Here are some of the fundamentals of Fire Prevention that I suggest: 1. Ensure that you know the basic function of your fire alarm panel and how it responds and reacts in an emergency situation. 2. Have an Evacuation Plan of Action in your facility and ensure that the plan is properly implemented. 3. Practice fire drills on a semi annual basis. It is important to note and document the results. All efforts should be made to resolve any mishaps or errors in order to improve the evacuation time. It is important to have fire warden training and to train all staff in emergency procedures. 4. Ensure that your facility has a Fire Safety Plan and if you don t, obtain one. The Fire Safety Plan For more information contact: John Oakes, M.A., CPM, R.C.M., ACCI, FCCI President & CEO joakes@brookfieldresidential.com Telephone: Brookfield Residential Services Ltd Steeles Avenue East - Suite Markham, Ontario L3R 1G9 - Canada PARTNERSHIP COMMITMENT SERVICE EXCELLENCE VISION CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING

4 Peter Pusitz Start a yoga, pilates or zumba class. should be current and up to code specification. 5. Ensure that your facility has a First Aid kit on site and that managers, as well as employees, have been trained in First Aid applications and procedures. 6. Ensure that all inspection certificates, logs and any other documents pertaining to your fire prevention are kept in a safe with easy accessibility for future reference. The fire department may request this information immediately following a visit or emergency. 7. Ensure that all keys that may be required to obtain access in an emergency situation be readily available. They should be kept in a safe place for authority having jurisdiction. It is valuable to ensure that the keys are current and work properly. 8. It is important to know how the elevator s exhaust fans operate in an emergency situation. You will need to know where the firefighter s elevator is and how it operates. 9. Visually check your basic necessary building function and status on a daily basis. 10. It is important to conduct a monthly inspection of the fire alarm and sprinkler system. Test audibilities and emergency telephone systems, including those in the elevators. PETER PUSITZ is CEO of Results Fitness Lifestyle Inc. Our mission is to create an inspiring, engaging and safe community for condominium residents to achieve fitness, wellness and a balanced lifestyle. My tips to improve onsite wellness include: 1. Provide fitness equipment orientations every 1 3 months. This helps to educate the residents and promote health, which creates a safer environment. 2. Start Yoga, Pilates and /or CONDOLAW.TO 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 2900 P.O. Box 2384 Toronto Ontario Canada M4P 1E4 T F w condolaw.to 24 CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING 2012

5 Zumba classes. These popular classes will bring residents with similar interests together to create a healthy bonding community. 3. Include health and fitness tips in the buildings monthly newsletter. This will promote a healthy lifestyle. 4. Provide nutrition support, for example offering free seminars to educate residents of all ages. 5. Set up beginners fitness and/ or Aqua classes for elderly residents. It is important to stay active throughout your years and will help improve your quality of life. 6. Know your building s demographics and set up community building programs such as card night, kids games and crafts, book clubs and more Keep your pool and spa area and fitness equipment well maintained. A safe and clean facility promotes attendance that helps create communities. 8. Post instructions on how to use the fitness equipment. This will help to reduce injury and make the residents workouts more efficient and effective. Galib Peermohamed Prevent moisture, prevent mould. 9. Provide a water dispenser in the gym. It helps residents to stay hydrated during their workouts and improves overall performance. GALIB PEERMO- HAMED is Manager, Hazardous Materials Group, with Construction Control Inc. Concern about indoor exposure to mould has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mould can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. Mould spores are found almost everywhere and mould will grow on virtually any organic substance as long as moisture, oxygen and certain temperature ranges are present. Mould can grow on wood, paper, 2011 ACMO CORPORATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT PERCEL INC. 400 Creditstone Road, Unit 1, Concord, ON L4K 3Z PERCEL1 ( ) Fax: info@percel.com an ACMO 2000 Certified Company CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING

6 carpet, foods and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mould growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mould and mould spores from the indoor environment. However, mould growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture. Since mould requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Mould Prevention Tips The control of moisture is the key to mould control. Water leaks or other moisture issues in residence halls should immediately be reported to management. The following are some guidelines to keep moisture levels at a minimum: Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible. Watch for condensation and wet spots. Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid). Keep heating, ventilation and air conditioning drip pans clean, flowing properly and unobstructed. Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible. Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally 30-60%, if possible. Perform regular building/ HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled. Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours. Don t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation. Dianne Werbicki, BA is editor of CM Condominium Manager magazine and the ACMO Quarterly Report to members. Re-Pipe for the cost of Repair! Let Jermark SOLVE the problems: Boiler Room Repairing Complete Building Replacement Recirculation Mains Replacement Distribution Mains Valve Replacement We Beat Any Written Quote! 24 HOURS Balancing Valve Installation CM CONDOMINIUM MANAGER MAGAZINE, SPRING 2012